Center for Southern California Studies
Mission
The Center for Southern California Studies (CSCS) was established in 1996 to provide research, education, and service on public policy issues facing Southern California. Driven by the goal of achieving well-informed public policy decisions, the Center offers diverse programs that facilitate pathways to productive policy dialogue aimed at building community capacity and participation. The Center works collaboratively with its Community Advisory Board to define and fulfill its mission. Read more
Willis Edwards: A Legacy of Service
With support from the Center for Southern California Studies and the Tom and Ethel Bradley Center, graduate students in the CSUN history program (History 596RM: Introduction to Public History) recently completed a documentary on Los Angeles Civil Rights leader, Willis Edwards (1946-2012). Edwards is not a household name; most Angelenos have no idea who he was. He was not a politician, entertainer, or athletic star. However, behind the scenes in the African American and Civil Rights communities, Edwards had a knack for making things happen and for speaking truth to power. Although he had very little money or institutional support, Edwards' life and work intersected with and shaped the administration of Mayor Tom Bradley, the Civil Rights movement, the life and legacy of Rosa Parks, the reach and influence of the NAACP, and the international HIV/AIDS movement.
As part of a public history course with Dr. Jessica Kim, students researched, wrote, filmed, and edited the following documentary short. Additional support came from Dr. José Luis Benavides, Professor Ben Davis, and Keith Rice. Students involved in the project included: Daniel Aburto, Yana Butterfield, Glenn A. Flood, Lorena Gauthier, Monica D. Gottschalk, John B. Grilli, Guillermo Marquez, Eduardo Medrano, Miguel Montanez, Jennifer L. Nash, Lucas H. Pastis, Michael A. Perez, Janelle C. Piva, Christopher W. Pound, Dat T. Tran, and Susana Willeford. Additional video editing by CTVA student Michael Beu.
